The magic of eclecticism

The sprawling 6,000sqft house in Chennai is nothing short of walking into wonderland. Infused with life by Smita Thomas of Multitude of Sins, the home not only celebrates style and elements to create a visual poetry but it rests on the tenet of unleashing stories which make you pause. Armed with her coterie of artists and designers, the home is a reflection of the owners — Venkat Laxman and Manju Venkat. Smita says, “The story needed to be crafted with love and care, injected with colour, creativity, art and vision, and most importantly have the zing of the unexpected just like its residents.”

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

Artist Shunal Ligade creates this beautiful canvas which holds the promise of taking us into a wonderland filled with beautiful stories.

"Storytelling is at the heart of everything I do. This home has the power to take that up a notch in telling the tale of the warm and wonderful people of this house."— Smita Thomas

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

Artist Shunal Ligade creates this stunning art work which is a strong pause in the living area.

Layers of soft, pastel tones are illuminated by natural light that floods through the French doors and multiple windows. Both warm and soft, the minty wall colour works as a beautiful backdrop to the eclectic furnishings, bold art, and intricate sculptural elements. Quirky prints play the hero in the space, while the well-curated accents from Be Vintage create a stunning impact.

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

"Eclecticism is about creating an experience for your audience to lose and eventually find themselves in — a curious exploration of ideas with an assorted vibe, a bit of humour and a touch of the unexpected."— Smita Thomas

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

"There is more to personalising your home than family-photo-walls. You can’t be afraid to bring in elements that speak to and excite you."— Smita Thomas

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

The idea was to inspire the kids to spend more time in the library. Layered colour and patterns is the key to the library’s charm. The walls and furniture draw colour inspiration from the wild woods, offsetting the powerful metallics in the painting. A patterned wool rug with colourful floor cushions and a low wooden table lets the kids get cosy with a good book.

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

It's a home that moves away from the familiar lines and unleashes a prose around elements that truly makes a house a home. Artist Shunal Ligade brings to forth elements through his brush strokes which hold the power to take you away from the now.

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

The entryway is flanked by a fiery and flamboyant rendition from Kolkata based artist Dithi Mukherjee. The vibrant hues of red, yellow and green in the living area open to a palette in soft, pastel tones — the perfect backdrop for the eclectic furnishings, bold art and intricate sculptural elements.

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

The house, like its nurturer, is dotted with art and prints which are quaint and arresting. Tape art from Nitin Sadhu, wooden finishes from Be Vintage and metal art from Rahul KP find unrestrained prose in the space. Whimsical characters create a portal for the library. Animal forms find themselves reinterpreted as stunning art forms. Every room has a story to tell. Moving away from the mundane, the eclectic vibe interprets and celebrates narratives around the hues, multiple patterns and techniques of various art forms.

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

With its high-pitched roof and shafts of sunlight, the master bedroom is filled with ornate accessories that bring out the character and charm of the space.

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

"The deep and wonderful green, provides the perfect plush ambience. I wanted to bring the room alive with vintage prints of myriad and quaint inventions."— Smita Thomas

Photograph: Udhai Thangavel

About the DesignerSmita Thomas and Team,Founder, Multitude of Sins.This Bengaluru-based designer is driven by an intense curiosity to reinvent the way people experience their homes and spaces. She unleashes the magic of art through installations which are beyond the ordinary. Her eye for detail coupled with pragmatism ensures that she brings her fantastical ideas to life with flair.